POSITIVE DISPLACEMENT PUMP APPARATUS

Abstract: A positive displacement pump apparatus (10) comprising at least one vane (12) projecting into a housing (16), each vane (12) being pivoted to a rotating support means with the pivot point of the vane moving in a circular path (76) and, simultaneously, each vane (12) moving through the housing (16) through a positive displacement region (70) and then moving through a non-positive displacement region under a return slot, wherein each vane (12) is configured to rotate independently on the rotating support means in a controlled manner about its pivot point as the vane (12) is rotated by the rotating support means.

Description: TITLE POSITIVE DISPLACEMENT PUMP APPARATUS DESCRIPTION The present invention relates to a positive displacement pump apparatus. More particularly, the positive displacement pump apparatus of the present invention is applicable for use in metering fluid flow, power generation, ships propulsion, fans, compressors, artificial heart, pressure regulation, valves and the like. FIELD OF THE INVENTION Pumps presently available, in particular high pressure pumps are disadvantaged by their large size. This large size is demanded by the need to accommodate a large diameter impeller. In addition, such pumps have a low level of efficiency due to their "non-positive" displacement operation. This is typified by the generally rough or pulsing flow produced in the fluid being pumped. The positive displacement pump apparatus of the present invention overcomes or reduces the abovementioned problems associated with the prior art. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION In accordance with one aspect of the present invention there is provided a positive displacement pump apparatus characterised by comprising at least one vane provided projecting into a cavity defined within a housing, the or each vane being supported in a rotatable manner on or by a support means, whereby the or each vane is able to rotate within the cavity of the housing through both a positive displacement portion of rotation and a non-positive displacement portion of rotation. Preferably, the housing has provided thereon a raised member projecting into the cavity within the housing whereby the raised member defines with the housing both a positive displacement region and a return slot within the cavity. Preferably, the support means comprises a rotatable disc through the rotation of which the or each vane may be moved through a circular arc within the cavity. Still preferably, the or each vane rotates about its own axis as the or each vane moved through the circular arc driven by the rotation of the rotatable disc. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS The present invention will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which :- Figure 1 is a top plan view of a positive displacement pump apparatus in accordance with the present invention showing the housing in part only and showing the gearing thereof in part only; Figure 2 is a top plan view of the positive displacement pump apparatus of Figure 1 shown without the gearing and highlighting the positive displacement portion of rotation of the vanes; Figure 3 is a cross-sectional view of the positive displacement pump apparatus of Figure 1 along line A-A showing the entire housing, the raised member and the support means; Figure 4 is a top plan view of the positive displacement pump apparatus of Figure 2 showing the position of a single vane through a 360° rotation of the support means (or alternatively the position of two vanes through a 90° rotation of the support means); Figure 5 is a top plan view of the positive displacement pump apparatus of Figure 2 showing a First position of two vanes; Figure 6 is a top plan view of the positive displacement pump apparatus of Figure 5 showing a second position of the two vanes; Figure 7 is a top plan view of the positive displacement pump apparatus of Figure 5 and 6 showing a third position the two vanes; Figure 8 is a cross-sectional view through a positive displacement pump apparatus in accordance with a second embodiment of the present invention; Figure 9 is an upper perspective sectional view through a housing of a positive displacement pump apparatus in accordance with a third embodiment of the present invention; Figure 10 is a sectional view through a part of the housing and an idler roller of Figure 9; and Figure 11 is a schematic plan view of a ship's hull showing the use of pumps in accordance with the present invention in ship propulsion. DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION In Figure 1 to 8 there is shown a positive displacement pump apparatus 10 comprising a first vane 12, a second vane 14 and a housing 16. The housing 16 comprises side walls 18 and 20, a base 22 and an upper gear housing 24, best seen in Figure 3. A raised member 26 projects perpendicularly from the base 22, as do the walls 18 and 20. Each vane 12 and 14 has a drive shaft, 28 and 30 respectively, attached at a mid-point thereon. The shafts 28 and 30 define axes X about which both vanes 12 and 14, and shafts 28 and 30 rotate. The shaft 28 projects through a bearing means 32 and has a toothed gear 34 provided on an uppermost portion 36 thereof. The shaft 30 projects through a bearing means 38 and has a toothed gear 40 provided on an uppermost portion 42 thereof. A drive means, for example a drive shaft 44 projects through the upper gear housing 24 and a bearing means 46 provided therein and attaches to a drive disc 48. The drive shaft 44 has a toothed gear 50 formed thereabouts through a depending projection of the upper gear housing 24. The gear 50 does not rotate as it is formed integrally with the gear housing 24. Two intermediate planetary gears 52 and 54 are provided interconnecting the gears 34 and 40 respectively with the gear 50. Each vane 12 and 14 has a first end 56 and a second end 58. Rotation of the drive disc 48 is indicated by arrows 60 whilst rotation of the gears 34 and 40 is indicated by arrows 62 and 64 respectively, as can be best seen in Figure 1. Rotation of intermediate gears 52 and 54 is indicated by arrows 66 and 68 respectively. The raised member 26 has a cross-section resembling a "tear-drop" as is best seen in Figures 1,2 and 4 to 7. The raised member 26 projects from the base 22 to adjacent the drive disc 48, as can be seen in Figure 3. The raised member 26 defines with the housing 16 a positive displacement region 70 and a return slot 72, as is shown in Figure 2. The portion of the wall 18 bordering the positive displacement region 70 has an inner surface 74 describing an arc whose centre is that of the drive shaft 44. A circular path 76 is described by the axes X of the shafts 28 and 30 as the drive disc 48 rotates, as is best seen in Figure 2 and 4 to 7. An inner surface 78 of the side wall 20 has provided therein a pair of recesses 80. The slot 72 is defined between the raised member 26 and the inner surface 78. A seal 82 is provided between the drive disc 48 and the upper gear housing 24, as can be best seen in Figure 3. In Figure 4, there is shown the positive displacement pump apparatus 10 pumping fluid from an inlet 84 through the positive displacement region 70 and out an outlet 86. The fluid flow is indicated generally by arrows 88. The path described by a single vane, for example vane 12 is shown in Figure 4. The path begins for illustrative purposes as the vane 12 enters the positive displacement region 70 with end 56 adjacent the inner surface 74 of the wall 18. The end 58 is at this time adjacent the raised member 26. The vane 12 is moved clockwise through rotation of the drive disc 48. However, as the vane 12 is moved clockwise gear 52 rotates also in a clockwise manner about fixed gear 50, as indicated by arrow 66 of Figure 1. The gear 52 in turn engages gear 34 which rotates in an anticlockwise direction, as indicated by arrow 62. The gear 34 is rigidly connected to the drive shaft 28 and as such the vane 12 is turned in an anticlockwise manner. This allows the vane 12, once it reaches the end of the positive displacement region to begin to slip through the return slot 72. As such however, the end 58 of the vane 12 will be adjacent the inner surface of the wall 18 through the next rotation of the drive disc 48 and the end 56 adjacent the raised member 26. In Figures 5 to 7 there is shown the progressive positions of vanes 12 and 14 within the housing 16 driving the pumping of fluid flow 88. In Figure 8 there is shown a positive displacement pump apparatus 100 in accordance with a second aspect of the present invention. The positive displacement pump apparatus 100 is substantially similar to the positive displacement pump apparatus 10 and like numerals denote like parts. A drive motor 102 is provided atop a drive shaft 104 which incorporates a coupling 106. The drive shaft 104 projects into a gear housing 108 provided on the housing 16 through a bearing 110. The drive shaft 104 has fixedly attached thereto a gear 112 which in turn engages a gear 114 fixedly attached to an idler shaft 116. The idler shaft 116 is located within the gear housing 108 and projects in a parallel manner to the drive shaft 104. The idler shaft 116 is held in the gear housing 108 by a bearing 118 at an upper end thereof and by a bearing 120 at a lower end thereof provided in an intermediate plate 122. An intermediate housing 124 is held by a bearing 126 in the intermediate plate 122 which in turn has the drive shaft 104 held therein by bearings 128. A further gear 130 is located on the idler shaft 116 which engages an upper gear 132 fixedly attached to the intermediate housing 124. A lower gear 134 fixedly located on the intermediate housing 124, below the intermediate plate 122, engages gears 34 and 40 which in turn are rigidly connected to vanes 12 and 14 respectively. At a lowermost end 136 of the drive shaft 104 is provided a support means, for example a drive disc 138 rigidly connected thereto. The shafts 28 and 30 of the vanes 12 and 14 are supported in drive housings 140 and 142 respectively. A number of bearings 144 are provided in each housing 140 and 142 to support the shafts 28 and 30. In use, the positive displacement pump apparatus 10 of the present invention is intended for use in the pumping of a fluid in a substantially continuous or non-pulsing flow. For example, the pump apparatus 10 may be installed in-line such that fluid can enter through the inlet 84 and ultimately exit through the outlet 86, as can be seen in Figures 4 to 7. In order to achieve the pumping action of the pump apparatus 10 of the present invention, a rotational drive is applied to the drive shaft 44 which is in turn transferred to the drive disc 48, as can be seen in Figure 3. The direction of rotational drive applied to the drive shaft 44 will determine which way the drive disc 48 rotates and in turn which way the vanes 12 and 14 rotate and ultimately the direction in which the fluid is pumped through the pump apparatus 10. For the present purposes, the rotational drive is applied in a clockwise direction, as can be seen with reference to Figure 1 and Figures 4 to 7. The clockwise rotation of the drive disc 48 indicates by arrows 60 causes a consequent rotation of each vane 12 and 14 also in a clockwise direction about an axis described by the drive shaft 44. This action causes the gears 34 and 40 atop the shafts 28 and 30 of the vanes 12 and 14 respectively to be rotated in an anti-clockwise manner as indicated by arrows 62 and 64 in Figure 1. This action is achieved through the intermediate planetary gears 52 and 54 engaging the fixed gear 50. As such, the vanes 12 and 14 are moving in a clockwise manner about the axis described by the drive shaft 44 whilst the vanes 12 and 14 individually rotate in an anit-clockwise manner about their axes X described by their shafts 28 and 30 respectively. The seal 82 provided between the drive disc 48 and the housing 16 prevents any of the fluid being pumped entering the upper gear housing 24, as can be seen most clearly in Figure 3. As is perhaps best described with reference to Figures 5 to 7, the vane 12 enters the positive displacement region 70 (and consequently the positive displacement portion of rotation) as the vane 14 enters the return slot 72 (and consequently the non-positive portion of rotation). This instance is clearly illustrated in Figure 5. At this time, a first end 56 of the vane 12 is immediately adjacent the inner surface 74 of the side wall 18 whilst the second end 58 of the vane 12 is adjacent or substantially abuts the raised member 26. At this time, the first end 56 of the vane 14 is adjacent or substantially abuts the raised member 26 whilst the second end 58 of the vane 14 is adjacent the inner surface 74 of the side wall 18 at a point near the outlet 86. As the drive disc 48 rotates about the drive shaft 44 in a clockwise manner, the axes X of the shafts 28 and 30 of the vanes 12 and 14 respectively describe the circular path 76. In Figure 6, the vane 12 is moving further into the positive displacement region 70 and the first end 56 of the vane 12 is still adjacent the inner surface 74 of the side wall 18, although at a point closer to the outlet 86. Further, the second end 56 of the vane 12 is also adjacent the raised member 26. At this time, the first end 56 of the vane 14 has passed through the return slot 72 and is subsequently within the non-positive displacement portion of rotation. The end 56 of the vane 14 is able at first to pass through the return slot 72 because of the recess 80 allowing some rotation of the vane 14 as it passes through the return slot 72. At this point, the vane 14 presents very little surface area as resistance to the flow 88 of the fluid and could said to be presenting a thinner profile to the on¬ coming flow 88 of fluid. However, the vane 12 in the positive displacement region 70 is provided substantially perpendicular to the flow 88 of fluid through the cavity described within the housing 16. The ability of vane 14 to move through the return slot 72 at the correct angle to take advantage of the recesses 80, is achieved through the independent rotation of the vane 14 about axis X described by its shaft 30. As the drive disc 48 continues to rotate in a clockwise manner, the arrangement show in Figure 7 is reached. At this point, the vane 12 is further into the positive displacement portion of rotation, whilst the first end 56 of the vane 14 has passed entirely through the return slot 72 and the second end 58 of the vane 14 is in the process of passing through the return slot 72. As can be observed from Figure 7, the second end 58 of the vane 14 will subsequently move adjacent to the recess 80 as the vane 14 passes entirely through the return slot 72. It should be observed that the vane 14 is still at this point presenting a thin profile to the flow 88 of fluid through the inlet 84. At no point in rotation does either vane 12 or 14 present an impediment to the flow 88. As the drive disc 48 rotates further in a clockwise direction, the subsequent independent rotation of the vanes 12 and 14 about their axes X ensures that upon a 360° rotation of the drive disc 48, each vane 12 and 14 has undergone a 180° rotation in the opposition direction. The "tear-drop" profile of the raised member 26 when viewed in a top plan view (for example Figures 4 to 7) is important in its co-operation with the surface of the vanes 12 and 14 as they rotate independently of the drive disc 48. It is envisaged that the pump apparatus 10 of the present invention could utilise more than two vanes. When the pump apparatus 10 has two vanes, for example as described hereinabove, the vanes are set at an angle to each other of substantially 90° and are provided at opposite points of the drive disc 44. However, if three vanes are to be provided, these would be set substantially at 60° to each other and at points equidistant apart on the drive disc 44. Still further, if four vanes were to be provided, they would be set at substantially 45° to each other and would be located equidistant from each other on the drive disc 44. It should be noted that the length of the vanes 12 and 14 between their ends 56 and 58 is such that as one vane leaves the return slot 72, the other vane is entering the return slot to prevent any back flow (or flow of the fluid from the outlet 86 to the inlet 84). This is the case even if more than two vanes are provided. The tapered profile of the vanes 12 and 14 shown in top plan view in Figures 1 and 2 may be used to increase the strength of the vanes 12 and 14 and to reduce their weight. This is preferable in situations of high velocity operation. It is further envisaged that the end 56 and 58 of each vane may be "wedge" shaped so as to maximise the maintenance of the seal to back flow of the fluid during the time when one vane leaves the return slot 72 and the other vane enters the return slot. The in-use operation of the positive displacement pump apparatus 100 is substantially the same as that of the positive displacement pump apparatus 10 in that the path described both by the drive disc and the vanes 12 and 14 is the same, whereas gearing used to achieve such movement differs. Rotary drive from the drive motor 102 is transferred to the drive shaft 104 which in turn rotates the drive disc 138. Still further, the rotation of the drive disc 138 moves the vanes 12 and 14 to describe the path 76 shown in Figures 2 and 4 to 7. However, the gear 112 is fixedly and rigidly attached to the drive shaft 104 such that rotation thereof consequently produces rotation in the gear 114 at a ratio of 1 : 1.5 such that the idler shaft 116 rotates at 1.5 times the speed of the drive motor 102. The gear 130 drives the gear 132 at a 1 : 1 ratio. The gear 132 rotates the intermediate housing 124 and 1.5 times motor speed. The lower gear 134 fixedly located on the intermediate housing 124 in turn drives the gears 34 and 40 of the shafts 28 and 30 of the vanes 12 and 14 respectively at a 1 : 1 ratio. In the pump apparatus of the present invention it is possible to replace the raised member 26 with an idler roller and such a construction is shown in Figures 9 and 10. In Figures 9 and 10 there is shown part of a pump housing and an idler roller. In other respects the pump apparatus of Figures 9 and 10 is similar to the pump apparatus of Figures 1 to 7. As can be seen in Figure 9, the pump apparatus 200 of this embodiment includes a housing 201 comprising a base 202. The base 202 is provided with a recess 204. Located within the recess 204 is an axially rotatable shaft 206 mounted in bearing means 208. A recessed disc 210 is mounted on top of the shaft 206 at a level substantially co-planar with the base 202. Four quadrant shaped members 212 are mounted in respective recesses in the disc 210 and are upstanding from the disc 210. The quadrant shaped members 212 have curved outer sides 214 and straight inner sides 216. The inner sides 216 of each quadrant shaped member 212 are spaced from the inner sides 216 of adjacent quadrant shaped members 212 so that a pair of crossed slots 218 are defined by the quadrant shaped members 212. The four quadrant shaped members 212 define an idler roller 220. The top of the idler roller 220 is located just below the drive disc 48 shown in Figures 1 to 7. As can be seen in Figure 10, the idler roller 220 is located in a recess 222 in the housing 201 of complementary shape to the roller 220. The vanes 12 and 14 pass through the slots 218 of the idler roller 220 during the operational cycle described hereinabove in relation to Figures 1 to 7 instead of passing around the raised member 26. The provision of the idler roller 220 avoids the appearance of a gap in the return slot 72 of Figures 1 to 7 which occurs when the raised member 26 is used. Thus, the pump construction shown in Figures 9 and 10 can be used with higher gas pressure without a return pulse occurring when a gap appears. In Figure 11 there is shown a ship's hull 300 provided with two opposing pump apparatuses 302 in accordance with the present invention as shown in Figures 1 to 7. The pump apparatuses 302 operate in the same manner as the pump apparatus of Figures 1 to 7 and are contra rotating. The ship's hull 300 is provided with laterally disposed water inlets 304 and a rearwardly disposed water outlet 306. The rear portion of the hull 300 defines a housing 308 and the pumps 302 are mounted to opposite sides of the housing 308. Positive displacement thrust is caused by synchronising the pump 302 so that the vane tips almost touch each other during thrust as shown in Figure 11. It is envisaged that the vane tips may flex to give improved efficiency. It is envisaged that the positive displacement pump apparatus of the present invention may be manufactured at a greatly reduced size compared to the pumps presently available through dispensing with the need to accommodate large diameter impellers. The rough or pulsing flow produced by most prior art pumps is substantially avoided in the positive displacement pump apparatus of the present invention. It is further envisaged that the positive displacement pump apparatus of the present invention is applicable for use in metering fluid flow, power generation, fans, compressors, artificial heart applications, pressure regulation, valves and other similar apparatus or devices where it is desirable to have a smooth flow of fluid and in which the ability to minimise the size of the pump is preferred. Modifications and variations such as would be apparent to a skilled addressee are deemed to be within the scope of the present invention.

Claims: CLAIMS 1. A positive displacement pump apparatus characterised by comprising at least one vane provided projecting into a housing, the or each vane being supported in a rotatable manner on or by a support means, whereby the or each vane is able to rotate within the housing through both a positive displacement portion of rotation and a non-positive displacement portion of rotation. 2. A pump apparatus according to claim 1, characterised in that the housing defines a cavity and the or each vane is able to rotate within the cavity. 3. A pump apparatus according to claim 1 or 2, characterised in that the support means comprises a rotatable disc through the rotation of which the or each vane may be moved through a circular arc within the cavity. 4. A pump apparatus according to claim 3, characterised in that the or each vane rotates about its own axis as the or each vane moves through the circular arc driven by the rotation of the rotatable disc. 5. A pump apparatus according to claim 4, characterised in that a drive means is provided to drive the rotation of the rotatable disc. 6. A pump apparatus according to claim 4 or 5, characterised in that the rotation of the rotatable disc causes the rotation of the or each vane. 7. A pump apparatus according to claim 6, characterised in that a gearing arrangement is provided within a gear housing mounted to the housing such that rotation of the rotatable disc produces consequent rotation of the or each vane. 8. A pump apparatus according to any one of claims 4 to 7, characterised in that the rotation of the or each vane is opposite to the rotation of the rotatable disc. 9. A pump apparatus according to any one of the preceding claims, characterised in that through a 360° rotation of the rotatable disc the or each vane will also undergo a 180° rotation such that an end thereof initially adjacent an inner wall of the housing will, after 360° rotation of the rotatable disc be remote from the inner wall of the housing. 10. A pump apparatus according to any one of the preceding claims, characterised in that there are provided two vanes such that as one enters the positive displacement portion of rotation the other is entering the non-positive displacement portion of rotation so as to prevent reverse or back flow of a fluid being pumped through the housing. 11. A pump apparatus according to any one of the preceding claims, characterised in that a raised member is provided within the housing whereby the raised member defines with the housing both a positive displacement region and a return slot. 12. A pump apparatus according to claim 11, characterised in that the or each vane is in the positive displacement portion of rotation through the positive displacement region of the housing and in the non-positive displacement portion of rotation through the return slot. 13. A pump apparatus according to claim 10, characterised in that the full length of the or each vane is presented substantially perpendicular to the direction of flow of fluid through the housing in the positive displacement portion of rotation whereas a thinner profile of the or each vane is presented to the direction of flow of fluid through the return slot in the housing in the non-positive portion of rotation. 14. A pump apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 10, characterised in that an idler roller is provided within the housing whereby the idler roller defines slot means through which the or each vane passes in the non-positive portion of rotation.

Inventors: MARTIN WILLIAM WESLEY, MARTIN, WILLIAM, WESLEY
Applicants: MARTIN WILLIAM WESLEY, SOUTHERN GROUP LTD, MARTIN, WILLIAM, WESLEY, SOUTHERN GROUP LIMITED
Application year: 1994
Main classification: F01C1
IPC codes: F01C1, F01C17, F04C2, F04C18